Celtics offer update on Kristaps Porzingis after ‘rare injury’

Mar 25, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) in the game against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Kristaps Porzingis left Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks on Sunday with an injury, and his status for the remainder of the series is now unclear.

The Celtics announced on Tuesday that Porzingis has been diagnosed with “a torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon in his left leg.” The team said Porzingis will be evaluated on a day-to-day basis with what is described as a “rare injury.”

Porzingis missed the majority of the playoffs prior to the NBA Finals with an injury to his right calf, but the new issue is unrelated to that.

The Celtics just announced Kristaps Porzingis is day-to-day with a left leg injury. He also appeared to tweak his right leg in Game 2. pic.twitter.com/ETjPWm5gtm

— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) June 11, 2024

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla told reporters that Porzingis’ latest injury is “serious” and that the decision to play will not be up to the 7-foot-3 forward.

Mazzulla on Kristaps: “It’s a serious injury. … We’ve taken the decision to play out of his hands.”

— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) June 11, 2024

Porzingis said he “going to do everything I can to be out there” in Game 3, which is in Dallas on Wednesday night.

Kristaps Porzingis says he’s going to do everything he can to play tomorrow night for Game 3.

Says he’s optimistic. #OneForDallas #bostonceltics pic.twitter.com/ErwylY0h56

— Sam Gannon (@SamGannon87) June 11, 2024

The Celtics said Porzingis suffered the injury late in the third quarter. He still managed to play in the fourth quarter but looked visibly hobbled before being subbed out. Porzingis finished with 12 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks to help the Celtics win 105-98 and take a 2-0 NBA Finals lead.

Porzingis was unstoppable at times in Game 1 with 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks. His return has given the Celtics a huge boost on both ends of the floor, and they could look a lot different if he is unable to play in Game 3.